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NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW RETURNS TO DENVER By Jason McKinney The National Western Stock Show will return to the National Western Events Center, 4655 Humboldt, January 9-24. The Stock Show has been a January tradition since 1906 and has been a draw for Denver ever since. Now in its 110th year, the stock show received a big vote of confidence last month when Denver voters approved Measure 2C, which will improve the Colorado Convention Center and create the new National Western Center, a year-round experiential education, research, commerce and entertainment campus that will be the permanent home for the National Western Stock Show. The stock show is celebrating the approval of 2C
by designating January 19th a Free Day for all; all Denver voters and stock show fans will receive free grounds admission. Regular grounds admission prices vary, depending on the day and the event. Daily grounds admission ranges from $10-19 for Adults (12+) and $2-3 for Children (3-11), those age 2 and under are free. Discounted tickets will be available on the 24th for Fan Appreciation Day and will be $10 for Adults and $3 for Children. The stock show showcases rodeos, livestock and horse shows, and kids activities, in addition to the judged competitions that are the central purpose of the event. The first rodeo was held in 1931 and the number of events has grown ever since. There are too
The Western Stock Show parade rolls into town on Thurs., Jan. 7 at noon.. PHOTO BY JEFF HERSCH
DENVER MLK JR. DAY CELEBRATION; ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE NATION
By Jason McKinney Every January, Denver honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with one of the largest celebrations in the nation, even now eclipsing the one in Washington, D.C. The two big events on MLK Jr. Day in Denver are the Marade and the Martin Luther King Jr. African American Rodeo of Champions, which is presented in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show. Both events will be held on Mon., Jan. 19. As the name indicates, the Marade is a combination march/ parade that begins at 10:45 am at the MLK, Jr. statue in City Park. Participants will congregate at the memorial site in City Park (17th & Colorado), beginning at 10 am. The Marade will move its way down Colfax to Sherman and through the Capitol grounds; then down Broadway to Civic Center Park, where cake will be served and a program about Dr. King will be held. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. yearbook will be signed again this year at the Colorado State Capitol Building, and festivities are expected
many to mention here, but a few highlights follow and the rest can be found on the event schedule at nationalwestern.com. The kick-off parade will be held on Thurs., Jan. 7 at noon and will start at Union Station and move down 17th. The parade always includes bands, floats, horseback riders, cowboys and cowgirls, and the real draw – Longhorn cattle. The parade is free for all to watch. Former Denver Broncos placekicker, Rich Karlis, will be the parade’s Grand Marshall. A few of the lesser-known events at the stock show include school visits, wood carving demonstrations, pedal tractor races (for the kids!), sheep shearing demonstrations, stick horse events, Top Hogs (pigs doing tricks and impressions) and even more family-themed events. There are various days and times for these events, so you’ll want to check the schedule before heading out. If you’re not into the whole “rope a calf and drag it around by its legs” kind of thing, there are other animal events you might be interested in. The family-friendly, Wild West Show will be held on Sat., Jan. 16 at 5 pm. Highlighting the color and pageantry of the Old West, the show is full of quick draw antics and cowboy entertainment, painting the story of how the West was won. Created as a tribute to the great Buffalo Bill shows of yesteryear, the show features nonstop action, dramatically drawing guests into the original ways of the West. Tickets range in price from $22-45. There is also the Evening of Dancing Horses on Thurs., Jan. 21 at 7:30 pm. The event brings the best equestrian talent together in front of live music from the Denver Brass. Enjoy an evening full of formal dressage, reigning, liberty and equestrian talent from around the world. Ticket prices range from $23-45. Families might enjoy the last day of the Stock Show the best. Not only are tickets discounted, but there will be free pony rides for the kids all day long. For more information about any and all events, go to nationalwestern.com.
to end at 1 pm. The total distance of the Marade is 5K. For more information, go to drmartinlkingjrchc.org. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Rodeo of Champions at the National Western Complex (4655 Humboldt) has been part of the National Western Stock Show since 1984 and it illustrates how black cowboys and cowgirls impacted the West throughout its early days of settlement; they were of particular importance because they constituted one out of every three individuals helping to settle the West at the time. Rodeo competition events include Bull Doggin’ (trapping and wrestling a moving steer to the ground from the back of a moving horse) the Pony Express relay, ladies’ steer undecorating (chasing down a steer while on horseback and removing a ribbon from the steer’s shoulder), bull riding and various other traditional rodeo events. The Rodeo begins at 6 pm and tickets range from $18-40. For purchasing options, visit nationalwestern.com; for more information about the Rodeo’s history, go to mlkrodeo.com.